Volume 17, Issue 67 (12-2017)                   refahj 2017, 17(67): 135-171 | Back to browse issues page

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Abstract:   (3966 Views)
Introduction: What is the analysis of social capital in rural areas can be achieved by the concept of social capital, particularly with spatial dimensions can be defined as a comprehensive approach to achieving social stability in rural areas to be considered. Therefore, the necessary condition for the development of any society, especially rural communities, is comprehensive development, the establishment of warm relations, the development of social cohesion, the development of social participation and, most importantly, mutual trust (individual, society and government), which this structure they are components of social capital that are understood in the context of space / spatial. The study of social capital in space / spatial is a new attitude that geography science is its shareholder and as a distinction with other sciences. Some sociologists have pointed out in their studies that social relations are based on spatial, which makes a difference. In other words, society is necessarily built in spatial, and the spatial organization of society plays a role in how society functions. Some studies have shown that rural areas have a much lower social capital than urban areas. In relation to Iran’s villages, in the past, the level of solidarity and social cohesion, participation, and trust has been higher due to the homogeneous environment and the ethnic relationships that villagers have with each other. But today, each of these concepts in rural areas has become faint in terms of bridging social capital.
Method: The methodology in this paper is analytical methodology based on qualitative and quantitative methods. The sample volume was selected by stratified random in the GIS by means Hawths Analysis Tools (6 villages from each stratum), that a total of 18 villages with 378 people were selected from total villages in Khorasan Razavi province. The research tool is a survey and a questionnaire. Validity of social capital questionnaire by Bartlett test and KMO was 0.71 and 0.79 for Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. In order to select social capital indicators, the indexes were indexed initially with a critical analysis of the studies carried out and in the second step; the primary indicators were screened to identify the social capital indicators in sustainable rural development and were limited to the main index. Then, these indices were analyzed according to their frequency in different sources and the main indicators were extracted. Then a questionnaire was prepared of these indices. Finally, by conducting surveys and surveys by experts and scientific experts of the country, a suitable and indigenous collection of social capital indicators in rural areas was presented.
Findings: The TOPSIS technique to ranking well in the rural areas of the sample were classified that Dizadiz, Gohardasht, Gholezu, Barabad, Shurab and Kheirabad with high social capital; Garmab, Goruh, Keriz, Abgahi, Jabuz and Sedeh intermediate social capital and so Ostay, Hesar, Merichegan, Safiabad, Robat and Pivejan with low social capital. Also the results show that Dizadiz is the highest social capital and Pivejan the lowest social capital. Also, the status of social capital indicators by the classes studied also showed that the first group (plain villages with a little distance from the city and a large number of households) has the highest average in relation to participation indicators, social networks, membership in NGO and public institutions, the satisfaction of institutions, as well as knowledge. The second group (foothill villages and with a medium distance from the city and a medium of households) have a high average in relation to the social solidarity index, and the third group (Mountainous villages with far away from the city and the little households) have a very favorable situation in terms of social norms, trust and security. The results show that of the 18 villages studied Dizadiz is the highest social capital and Pivejan the lowest social capital.
Discussion: the rural areas suffer of lack of social capital that is one of the most important types of development capitals and as a strategy for achieving rural sustainable development. Part of the social inequality of social capital in the studied villages is due to the difference in the level of bonding social capital and bridging social capital. Lack of investment and attention in strengthening and developing of bridging social capital Including scant Awareness and informing villagers about informal and voluntary organizations (NGOs), little and discontinuous relationships and interactions, poor social networks, lack of provision for participation of villagers in various planning and .... In general, the lack of participation of villagers in social, economic, and political actions has led to the lack of development and strengthening of bridging social capital among rural areas studied. Therefore, achieving the desired state of social capital and reducing the spatial inequalities of social capital requires filling the gap between bonding social capital and bridging social capital in rural areas. The important issue that our rural areas are extremely confronted and can be considered as one of the main reasons for the mustiness of rural areas in Iran.
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Type of Study: orginal |
Received: 2018/05/8 | Accepted: 2018/05/8 | Published: 2018/05/8

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